Writer Lara Piu

 
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s if soaring temperatures aren’t enough incentive to leave town, Flagstaff is all-the-more more enticing this month as it hosts the Blues and Brews Festival. Held June 10 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Continental Country Club Driving Range on 5200 Old Walnut Canyon Road, the festival returns with a full, fun-filled day of music, beer, food, entertainment for kids, arts and crafts vendors and more.

“Flagstaff Blues and Brews is an annual music festival held in June in beautiful Flagstaff,” event producer Jennifer Grogan says. “We are excited that we get to continue to bring in Grammy-winning artists and that we grow our event year after year.”

Ten bands, including Soul Summit, Mother Road Trio, Sistahs Too, Harlis Sweetwater Band, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, and Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots are slated to perform.

“I am looking forward to seeing our award-winning lineup,” Jennifer adds. “We have some amazing artists who will grace our stage and put on an incredible event.”

Now in their third musical decade, brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars will headline the festival. Luther is also the lead guitarist for the Black Crowes.

“The blues is not children’s music,” Luther says. “We get better at it the older we get. We’re so fortunate to be able to do it.”
Known for its Southern and rock blues sounds, North Mississippi Allstars has received multiple Grammy nominations, appeared on shows like “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and was temporarily the house band for “Last Call with Carson Daly.”

In addition to musical entertainment, the festival will offer a large selection of domestic beers for $6, ciders for $6, wine for $8 and microbrews for $7-8. Look for craft selections like Mother Road Tower Station, Four Peaks American Pale Ale, Mudshark Full Moon Belgian Style White Ale, Lumberyard Red Ale, Barrio Blonde Ale, Mother Road Lost Highway Black Ale, Oak Creek Brewing Nut Brown Ale, Odell 90 Shilling, Four Peaks Sun Bru Kolsch Style Ale, Prescott Brewing Ponderosa IPA, and Odell Loose Leaf Session Ale.

A food area will feature a wide range of vendors like Sally’s BBQ, Hot Bamboo, Pearson’s Cajun, 3 in the Tress, and El Capitan. There will also be a kids’ area with coloring and bounce houses, more than 20 arts and crafts vendors, free hydration stations and free re-entry.

Attendees can bring in one sealed bottle with up to 32 ounces of water. Jennifer also recommends a hat, sunscreen, lawn chairs, an umbrella lower than three feet, dancing shoes and a good attitude.

“Enjoy yourself,” she advises. “Flagstaff Blues and Brews does all we can to make guests feel comfortable and we want them to have a good time.”

Fifth Annual Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival
Continental Country Club Driving Range
5200 Old Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff
Saturday, June 10
11 a.m.–9 p.m.
$35

flagstaffblues.com